Public Holidays in Vietnam in 2024-2025

In order to choose the best time to travel around Vietnam, besides considering the weather conditions, it is best to update the public holidays in Vietnam.

That some short-term public holidays last one or two days do not have a major impact on your planned trip. In case having a great trip, traveling during these days also accelerates your experience with lots of interesting activities. However, there are some festivals you should consider because it may have four or five days off, or perhaps extends to nearly a week or ten days. As a result, some side effects happen for the foreign tourists such as price increase, full booking,… 

 In 2024 and 2025, official laborers have 6 public holidays which are administered by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam. These public holidays are considered as paid holidays in Vietnam where official workers still have a full paid salary for their days off.

OVERVIEW OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN VIETNAM IN 2024 – 2025 (Gregorian Calendar)

• INTERNATIONAL NEW YEAR’S DAY:

Based on the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day is the first day of the calendar year, on January 1st. The Vietnamese do not take this public holiday seriously. Unlike other Western countries, Vietnamese people only have one day off. Hence, they tend to relax at home and sometimes hang out with friends. If New Year’s Eve is observed on a weekend, some choose to travel to nearby cities or head to the center of major cities, flocking out the crowded street by motorbikes or cars at night to celebrate the new year by contemplating fireworks. Some bars, restaurants, or large international hotel chains or cruises in Ha Long Bay hold New Year’s Eve parties on December 31 with an additional fee which allow international tourists to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Date: January 1st in 2024 and 2025

Lion dance during Tet Holiday. Photo: lansuronghanoi.com

• LUNAR NEW YEAR (TẾT HOLIDAY):

The name “Lunar New Year” is most commonly known by its shorten name “Tết Nguyên Đán” or “Tết” in Vietnamese. This is the most important and popular public holiday and festival in Vietnam, similar to the International New Year and Christmas in the West. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Lunar calendar and usually has the date in January or February in the Gregorian calendar. Workers usually take seven consecutive days off, from the 29th day of the last lunar month to the 5th day of the first lunar month. The festival is considered as a family reunion celebration in which they set aside sorrowful days of the past year and wait for upcoming challenges next year. Vietnamese people always prepare traditional customs for Tet in various aspects and during Tet, lots of fascinating activities happen… Hence, if you travel during this time, the prices of train, plane, and all other services will increase intensely to compensate for workers who take time off during the holidays. Moreover, most shops and offices are closed at least three main days all at once during the holiday.

Date: 8th – 14th February in 2024 and 28th January – 4th February in 2025

• HUNG KINGS COMMEMORATION DAY

Hung Kings Commemoration Day or Hung Kings’ Festival is an official public holiday in Vietnam, which is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month. The main purpose is to worship and re-memorize the 18 Hung Kings who dedicated themselves to the foundation of the country since its inception. The ritual ceremony includes traditional Vietnamese dance, music, and folk songs, conveying tales of the nation’s history and legends, extending from the 8th to the 11th of the third lunar month, with the 10th day being the most important. This meaningful public holiday has now shaped and contributed to the unique culture as well as identity of Vietnam. Due to one day off, most Vietnamese people prefer being at home to traveling. And if you decide to include the holiday in your itinerary, you can ask the local travel agency to customize a program for your trip. However, you should carefully check and protect your valuable belongings when passing by the crowd.

Date: April 18th in 2024 and April 7th in 2025

Hung Kings Holiday – One of the public holidays in Vietnam. Source : TTXVN

• VICTORY DAY

Victory Day, also known as Vietnamese Reunification Day or Liberation Day, is one of the most meaningful and memorable days in the Vietnamese history period, marking the end of the Vietnam War which lasted nearly 30 years of independence, freedom and unification of Vietnam. To celebrate the holiday, each family hangs the national flag in front of their house, loudspeakers play historical songs that remind us of past victories, all the sacrifices of our ancestors. These usual celebrations also raise the love of the nation for the next generation. Always combining with Labor Day, workers have two consecutive days off. Furthermore, the government often associates the days off with a nearby weekend to create prolonged holidays for workers, which can be up to four or five consecutive days off.

Date: April 30th in 2024 and 2025

Please note: The total holiday duration for Victory Day and Labor Day, including weekend days, can reach up to 4-5 days.

• INTERNATIONAL LABOR DAY

International Labor Day, known as International Workers’ Day or May Day, is a celebration of laborers occurring every year on 1 May. Most Vietnamese take advantage of two public holidays and the nearby weekend (4-5 days) to visit their family, relatives in their home village or to travel. During this season, prices for train tickets, plane tickets, hotel rooms,… are minimally higher than usual, but tourist attractions are welcome for visitors. Therefore, it is best for you to book everything in advance and avoid traveling to the favorite destinations of domestic tourists such as Nha Trang, Da Lat, Cat Ba, Tam Dao, Da Nang during this period.

Date: May 1st in 2024 and 2025

Please note: The total holiday duration for Victory Day and Labor Day, including weekend days, can reach up to 4-5 days.

• INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day or National Day is observed on September 2nd per year, commemorating President Hồ Chí Minh reading the Declarations of Independence of Vietnam at Ba Đình Square in Hanoi in 1945. Beside Vietnamese Reunification Day, National Day can be seen as one of the most memorable days for the Vietnamese. This anniversary places a remarkable highlight throughout the historical stage, ending the colonial dynasty (Nguyễn Dynasty) and opening the independence nation – the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. 

Similar to Vietnamese Reunification Day, the national flag and national anthem are displayed to spread pride and patriotism across the country. An annual march takes place on Ba Dinh Square, the historic location where Uncle Ho read the declaration of independence. Moreover, the authority also celebrates this special day by displaying fireworks and parades in two major cities: Ha Noi Capital and Ho Chi Minh City. This time, workers or students rarely return to their hometown; instead, they enjoy the holiday by hanging out with companies or friends, watching fireworks,… This public holiday does not have a major impact on foreign tourists.

Date: September 2nd in 2024 and 2025

National Day of Vietnam – One of the public holidays in Vietnam

OTHER HOLIDAYS IN VIETNAM

Our last words,

By exploring public holidays in Vietnam and its celebration traditions, you will better understand the local culture and values which are important to Vietnamese people. These special occasions also provide an uncommon opportunity to witness unique cultural events, such as parades, traditional festivals and religious ceremonies. However, it is important to note that certain holiday periods may result in an increase in prices for tourist services. Therefore, when planning your trip, you might consider these peak periods to avoid crowds and inflated prices, while still enjoying a more authentic and economical experience.

Phuong Hong Ngoc NGUYEN